According to The Asahi Shimbun, a floating inn will make its maiden voyage in the Seto Inland Sea in Japan on Oct. 17.
The Guntu, a ryokan-like passenger liner whose guest rooms are made mainly of wood, is 81.2 meters long and 13.75 meters wide and has a gross tonnage of 3,200 tons.
It also features a gable roof, a 35-square-meter veranda, a gym, a beauty treatment salon, a large bathroom with a sauna and a sushi bar. All of those facilities use wood.
“The vessel features a Japanese-style interior, allowing passengers to have a relaxing time and fully enjoy the appeal of the Seto Inland Sea,” said Akio Jo, president of the operating company of the vessel.
He said the ship, which uses an electric propulsion system, can travel “so quietly that passengers do not realize it is moving.”
All 19 guest rooms of four types offer views of the sea. Each room will accommodate two people, with charges ranging from 400,000 yen to 1 million yen ($US 3,565 to 8,914) per night.
The largest room, the 90-square-meter Guntu Suite in the bow, will provide a 180-degree view of the sea.
Six routes will be available to travel in the Seto Inland Sea, mainly for three days and two nights or four days and three nights.
The vessel will not stop at any port during its trips. It will anchor off the coast, and passengers will be sent on two boats to their destinations.